A prominent Hillcrest locale that has housed two failed nightclub-restaurant complexes will be the site of yet another nightlife venue.

The former Eden club and restaurant, which closed in late July, will be occupied by a new dining venue and a gay club that is being developed by a local restaurateur and bar owner.

David Schiffman, owner of The Range Kitchen & Cocktails on University Avenue, is moving his recently closed restaurant across the street to the vacant Eden space and intends to open for business this weekend.

He also is planning a still-unnamed nightclub for the balance of the 15,000-square-foot space, which he is convinced will succeed where two previous concepts did not.

“This is an excellent piece of real estate, in the center of a thriving community, that in the past hasn’t had the necessary attention or strategy behind it,” said Schiffman. “Furthermore, we are closely listening to the feedback of the community, taking into consideration everything, from what they want the club venue to be named to what sort of interactive elements they want to see present at both spaces.”

The new home for The Range is on a prime corner at University Avenue and Vermont Street, site of the former Universal-Dish complex that restaurateur and nightclub owner James Brennan had to close in January 2010 after it was unable to attract a strong following.

At the time, Brennan said the economy played a huge role in the project’s downfall, as did his lender’s decision to call in a $2 million note right before the complex was to open.

Schiffman said he decided to shut down The Range this week and relocate it to the new space for a number of reasons, not the least of which was he was going to lose about one-third of his seating.

Unknown to him, the restaurant’s balcony had not been properly permitted, and as a result the landlord was planning to tear it down completely.

“At the same time, we found out about Eden and began working with the landlord,” said Schiffman, who also owns Whiskey Girl in downtown San Diego. “Within about a month, month and a half, we had worked out a deal. This was a perfect time to say, listen, this is a great opportunity to expand, get a great patio and bring in a new nightclub venue.”

Schiffman said that about $500,000 was invested in the year-old Range but some of that expense will be recouped because all of the reclaimed wood décor and other materials are being moved over to the new restaurant site.

In all, Schiffman said he and his investors are putting $1 million into the new venture. In an effort to involve the community, the owners solicited names for the new club via an online survey.

In the meantime, both the restaurant and nightclub will have a varied schedule as construction on the space continues over the next few months.

Plans are to start Range at the new location this weekend and keep it open only on weekends over the next month, after which it will operate daily. The nightclub will be open this weekend as well and every Friday and Saturday thereafter while the owners overhaul the space during the week.

The full renovation probably won’t be complete until at least the end of November, Schiffman said.